Peter stood uncharacteristically rigid in the middle of the meadow, squinting his eyes at the sun as it began to fall low in the sky. The gentle lap of pond water brushed against Peter's feet, leaving watery residue to trail along the woven shoes that stuck to them. The kiss of water went unnoticed by Peter, who was singularly focused on a fixed point in the horizon.
"Any moment now," Peter quietly murmured to himself. He tapped an impatient foot against the ground.
Suddenly, a twinkling light burst in the distance. Then two, three, four…Peter quickly lost count. A surge of bright lights rushed forward to Peter, a dazzling array of pixie dust trailing behind in perfect symmetry. Peter hadn't had enough time to get over being startled before he was face to face with an army of fairies, all of them in perfect formations with one another.
Tinkerbell led a portion of the fairies herself, quickly making her presence known by flying in front of Peter.
Peter. I did as you asked.
Peter simply nodded. Tink fussed with her hands quickly before she twinkled urgently. She reverently bowed, making way for the regal presence behind her. Queen Clarion, in her usual elegance, floated close to Peter's face. Her face was somber as she gave a sympathetic frown.
Peter…I would say it's a pleasure to see you, but I don't believe these are appropriate circumstances for such a greeting.
Peter swallowed, glancing away from the queen with a stony expression. "Thanks…your grace I—I'm sorry—" Peter said quickly as he gave a hasty bow. "I'm forgetting all the customs—"
Queen Clarion hushed the flustered boy with a hand. In your circumstances, I would not be any different. Peter smiled at her gratefully. From what I have been told, a girl—Margaret, was captured by the pirates?
"Yes. Margaret—she's the granddaughter of Wendy Darling, if you remember?"
I do.
"We were trying to fly back to London and…then the pirates—she was captured. Margaret's been trapped on the Jolly Roger since and the Lost Boys and I are trying to do what we can to get her out. But with the pirates growing in their numbers and everything that's happened, I don't think we'll be able to get her out alone," Peter explained breathlessly. "The pirates are just too strong for us to take them on."
Queen Clarion was silent for a moment as she digested Peter's words. Her wings fluttered gracefully as she turned to start pacing in the air. You wish for our aid.
"Yes."
Queen Clarion paused, sighing as she rubbed a hand over her mouth. Peter, we have been good friends for some time. However…
"However?" Peter prompted.
The queen looked at Peter reluctantly. There is a very slim chance that will be of significant help to you. The pirates have done much harm to my people recently. We cannot afford to send many of our warriors for an altercation, especially one of this magnitude—
"You must help us," Peter replied quietly. "You must!"
Queen Clarion studied Peter carefully as she flew close to his face. Academic blue eyes roamed over Peter's face with the precision of a surgeon. Something registered within the pixie as she backed away. I cannot make any promises, Peter. However, I shall discuss this matter with my people…Preferably back at Pixie Hollow, where we can be sure there won't be prying eyes.
Peter gulped, balling his hands into fists. "Thanks for your consideration," he said tensely.
I shall send Tinkerbell to you once we reach a decision. I cannot tell you how long our deliberations will take, but we will do our best to be efficient. Queen Clarion flew close to Peter again, close enough to where she could reach out a hand to touch Peter's nose. No matter what our final decision is, I wish you the best of luck.
Peter strained his face as a wave of emotion flooded over him. "Thank you," he replied dryly. With a sympathetic expression on her face. Queen Clarion led the fairies back to Pixie Hollow. The group departed efficiently, soon leaving Peter in the meadow all alone once more.
!
"This is…a lot to digest," Larissa commented quietly. She reached a hand to rest herself against the rock that Peter was perched upon. Her eyes grew distant, gentle cues of thought resting on her scrunched forehead. Larissa aimlessly circled a finger in the water. The rest of the mermaids splashed around the pair happily, completely ignorant of the serious conversation that was occurring before them. "Peter—"
"Larissa, we need all the help we can get. I know you all have had lots of trouble with the pirates recently. If you help us out…you might even get some vengeance."
"Vengeance is tempting, but we aren't ready for such a…dramatic step. Sure, we've had fights but we've never tried to directly attack the pirates. I mean that would be-" Larissa stopped mid-sentence, bowing her head and squinting her eyes at the water. "I don't really know what we could do besides get the Roger off balance. Even then, there's the risk that we could cause a wreck and that…wouldn't be good for Margaret." Larissa sighed, rubbing her chin as she looked up to the sky.
"Larissa, please," Peter said with quiet urgency. "If the fairies decline, and if you decline, we will have to go it alone. We can't do that. Margaret needs us to get her out. Soon. And you—you promised to help her, should she ever need it." Peter swallowed thickly. "She needs your help badly."
Larissa drew her lips into a thin line. She turned her head, looking around at her carefree sisters as they laughed and played with one another. Some of the mermaids were perched on rocks to sunbathe while they combed each other's hair. Her eyes grew half-lidded as she looked at the empty rocks, where more of their sisters used to sit and sing. Larissa looked back at Peter, the sparks of determination igniting in her eyes.
"We're in."
!
Peter dozed in the middle of the clearing outside of the hideout, his arms supporting his head as his face was in the direct line of the sun. Interrupting his vague charade of rest was the quiet padding of the Lost Boys in and out of the tree as they impatiently searched for any signs of Tinkerbell. Two days of waiting had led to uncharacteristically erratic behavior from the entire troupe, with each sound sending everyone into a frenzy until the absence of any fairy led to another anxious dormancy.
Peter cracked his eyes open, a blank feeling washing over the thin veil of relaxation he attempted to wear. He'd hoped it would calm everyone down, but the experiment had been far from successful. However, hours of lazing about had made Peter acquainted with the ground, enough so that he couldn't find it in his heart to depart from his resting place as of now.
A presence appeared beside Peter on the ground. "Tink'll be here soon. I've gotta feeling," Slightly said.
Peter only exhaled deeply, closing his eyes once more tiredly.
"You know, you should get some shut-eye in your hammock."
"I'm comfortable here," Peter murmured.
"You haven't slept the past few nights," Slightly argued.
"I have gotten some sleep."
"Not enough, though."
Peter sighed in place of a response. He opened his eyes, seeing an annoyed Slightly hovering beside him. The younger boy scowled upon seeing Peter remain firmly planted to the ground.
"I'm fine, Slightly."
A moment of silence passed. "No, Peter, you aren't."
Peter opened his lips to reply, but was interrupted by the sound of jingling bells. A light erupted into the clearing. The Lost Boys stirred at the sight, rushing out from the tree. Peter opened his eyes as Tinkerbell approached him quickly.
Queen Clarion has agreed to send aid!
Peter sat up slowly, squinting at Tinkerbell as she repeated the message breathlessly. The Lost Boys began whooping and hollering in unison. Peter stood up from the ground with a frown on his face.
"It seems then, that it's settled. Tink, I'll need you to get Queen Clarion and anyone else who needs to be involved in the planning. Get them to come here—no, get them to meet on the beach. You know where. Also, fetch Larissa and tell her to find a comfortable spot. We'll probably be talking for a while. Lost Boys, start preparing your weapons or gathering anything you might need. Slightly and Tootles, I'll need you two to come to the beach as well. I'll go and inform Margaret of the recent developments."
As the Lost Boys and Tinkerbell all began to carry out their orders, Slightly snatched Peter's arm before he could leave. "Peter, you shouldn't go out there. What if someone hears you on the Roger?"
"I'll make sure no one hears anything except Margaret—"
"Peter, you're exhausted. You might get caught—"
"Slightly, I'm going to tell Margaret," Peter stated firmly as he yanked his arm out of Slightly's grip. Slightly gulped as Peter launched himself from the ground and away into the sky.
!
Margaret lifted her head with effort as she blinked through bleary eyes.
Fire.
Fire raged across Margaret's arms, legs, and stomach as she attempted to move. Every slight flick of the finger and curl of the leg yielded a cry of despair from Margaret. Everything ached. Every bit of Margaret's body against the floor felt entirely too sensitive for her to take any comfort.
Margaret tried to sit up, but found herself yelping in pain and falling back against the floor. Her eyes were clamped shut, her forehead straining from the effort to divert her attention from the agony. Sheer agony was all that Margaret knew each time she tried to reorient herself the slightest bit. Fire after fire raged across her muscles.
Margaret blinked, squinting her eyes at her arms. Blue and black spots were trailed everywhere. Bruises. They were bruises. And if she had to guess, they were all across her body. How did…how in the world did she get them?
"Bloody hell," Margaret croaked airily. Her mind, although sluggish, slowly began piecing together the events that led her to this moment.
"Cap'n's orders fer ye to be moved."
"No."
"Whaddya mean, no?"
"I'm not an animal. I don't deserve to be treated like one. I refuse to be moved to another cell."
"Ye refuse?"
"I do. And you can tell Hook that I send my regards!"
"Let us take 'er to Cap'n an' see 'ow 'e feels!"
Margaret swallowed thickly as her thoughts treaded on darker territory.
"You're on MY ship, so you follow MY rules. You have no power here—DID YOU JUST SPIT ON ME?!"
"You're pathetic!"
"Take that back!"
"I won't! You're holding a child hostage! That makes you a scummy bastard!"
"You will regret saying that."
Margaret couldn't think any further. She could guess what happened, but actually reliving the memory in her mind—she wouldn't subject herself to that. With an inhuman groan, Margaret shifted herself on the floor before pushing her arms to lift herself. Her arms shook and strained at the small act, giving out before Margaret could shift her weight onto her bum.
Margaret took a deep breath as tears leaked from her eyes. She positioned herself once more, pushing with all her might. Margaret kept her balance long enough to shift her weight onto her bum. Her upper body wavered uneasily as she steadied herself with an arm. Panting from the strenuous effort, Margaret observed her surroundings.
Upon looking at the door to her cell, Margaret's eyes widened. No one was sitting outside to guard. If she wished, she could try to escape right now—
But the sudden surge of ungodly soreness from Margaret's legs made her scrap the plan immediately. If they were leaving her unguarded—they must've known they did a number on her. They knew that she wouldn't be able to escape like this. Those arrogant bastards-
A shadow passed over the window. Margaret turned her head slightly, barely catching the silhouette of a face through the rays of sun that assaulted her eyes. Margaret attempted to raise an arm to shield her eyes, but found the effort far too hard in her current state. Instead, she turned her head away. A loud gasp sounded from the silhouette.
"Margaret!" the shadow hissed. It was Peter. Margaret felt blank tears slide down her cheeks. She turned her gaze to Peter again, finally able to make out his horrified face from the sun. Margaret felt herself start trembling as she contorted her face. "Margaret," Peter exclaimed again in horror. He started shaking the bars desperately. "What did they do to you?!"
Margaret managed to compose herself slightly. "I was…stupid. I…pushed…Hook—" her voice gave out, leaving her a silent, sniffling mess.
"I'm going to murder him," Peter said grimly. A minute of silence passed as Margaret wished that she could stand, if only to hold Peter's warm hands as he assured her everything would be alright. "Margaret—" his voice cracked. He breathed heavily. "Can you stand?"
"I—don't think I can. I…don't…want to…think of the pain."
"Margaret, the fairies and mermaids have agreed to help us break you out. You just have to hold on a little longer. Just a little…" Peter's voice faded. Margaret looked at his face again. Boiling red in anger, furiously upset, with tears freely falling down his scrunched face. Margaret felt her face contort as the tears she withheld started to flow.
"I just…don't know…how…much…longer…I have," Margaret sobbed quietly, her breathing completely erratic. "I'm sorry…I wish…I…was…stronger. I'm…I can't stay…like…this." Margaret's whole body trembled as she felt all of the internal strength she'd supplied so far dissolve. Margaret fell back onto the floor, her body curling into a ball.
"Margaret, you are so strong," Peter said, his voice cracking from the tears. "So strong. This is all my fault—I need to—I wish I could just—" the frustration and hopelessness added a venomous edge to Peter's frantic voice. Peter gulped.
"Please…please hurry," Margaret cried out hoarsely. Peter locked eyes with Margaret before closing them in pain. He released his hands from the bars, backing away and disappearing from Margaret's sight. Margaret leaned her head against the wood, silencing her sobs as she screamed into the floor.
!
Boiling, screaming anger exploded through Peter's blood, sizzling like the instability of an imminent bomb. Peter never flew as fast as he did in his life getting to that beach. Never did he have to restrain himself so much to keep from singlehandedly landing on the Roger to kill every pirate he could find. Mere inches away from committing an act so stupid it could be confused with suicide, it was hardly surprising that Peter was at a complete loss for words.
Peter stormed to the hasty group assembled on the beach. Larissa was sat on a rock nearby where she serenely soaked in the sun. Queen Clarion and her ministers floated in a tight group. Slightly and Tootles whispered to one another. Tinkerbell floated around aimlessly, obviously in search for Peter.
When she spotted him, she hesitated before quickly flying toward him and jingling with an apprehensive question. Peter scowled darkly, physically brushing her away as he stomped toward the group. Tinkerbell flew in front of him, turning red from her own anger as it bowled from head to toe.
What. Happened.
"It doesn't concern you—"
Oh no. It does. And you're going to tell me. Right. Now.
"You're wasting my time. We have to plan Margaret's escape and we have to do it now!"
Peter! Tinkerbell shouted. The loud, clashing jingle caught the attention of the group on the beach. Peter felt himself shudder as all of his defenses and walls crumbled down all at once. Without even a full moment to process what was happening, Peter felt himself crumble to the ground as he started to sob into the sand. The Lost Boys rose from the sand quickly, but Tinkerbell signaled them to keep their distance.
Larissa, the fairies, Slightly, and Tootles watched as Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up, sobbed on the ground in complete despair and hopelessness. The sobs were guttural and desperate. So painfully human while otherworldly in their pain and depth. Terrifying soulful cries in an otherwise perfect haven. Such pain wasn't supposed to exist here. Such pain was never meant to live in a place such as Neverland.
Before everyone in the group was the testament of the quiet change that had begun since Wendy. Peter, the boy who once cared for no one and nothing besides the Lost Boys and Neverland, had quickly learned how to accept a world beyond his own with Wendy. She had taught him what it meant to serve others. What it meant to be a better human. He quickly learned what it meant to love in those quiet, contemplative nights the pair spent across Neverland.
Peter learned heartbreak, too, on an unassuming night in London.
Jane had taught Peter that a woman's value went beyond her ability to be a "mother". She could be just as ferocious and ambitious as the Lost Boys. Girls could be just as clever and even more clever than any boy thank you very much. Peter learned that Wendy had moved on. Peter learned that it was possible to fall in love with someone who had the same skills as him. He didn't have to search for someone only with skills that he didn't possess himself.
And Margaret…she had taught Peter what it meant to take charge. To make do. She wasn't perfect. But neither was Wendy or Jane. Peter learned what it was to love every part of someone, including their flaws. Margaret taught him what it meant to be regretful. What it meant to turn over a new leaf and to do better. To commit to doing better. She taught him what it meant to learn eagerly. To be curious.
Up until the Darlings had come into his life, Peter had never had to face change. Growth. It was uncomfortable. It was painful. But it was strangely…necessary.
Through Peter's growth, he learned to appreciate the people that entered his life differently. And…he learned that chances present themselves in unique ways. Opportunities Peter thought long lost began to reappear in different forms. Margaret…Peter saw a future with Margaret, the future he thought he could have with Wendy. Maybe she didn't have to leave him. Maybe she could have a life here.
But with every moment Margaret was on that ship, Peter grew surer that another Darling woman would be snatched away from him. Peter wouldn't be able to survive a third heartbreak. He needed to get Margaret off the Roger.
Even if it killed him.
!
A/N: Hello. At this point, apologizing for my tardiness would only be repeating a mantra I've stated a million times before, so I will refrain from doing so.
As of now, I believe I have enough writing fuel to finish the story. Whether I will actually do so remains to be seen, but I don't foresee there being too many more chapters. 10 more at the most. Most likely, the story will contain 6 more chapters. I really hope to finish the story, since overall I've enjoyed writing this one, and wish to give a proper ending.
For the potential reasons why I might not be able to finish in a short amount of time: I'm back at college for my second year. I have a lot of responsibilities this year not only for my classes but also in the organizations that I am part of (I'm president of one). Due to these reasons, I have a lot on my plate, leaving me with less time and less inspiration to write. That said, I have my fall break starting on Thursday of this week, so I hope to have time to write when I go home for that time.
Thank you to everyone that has remained patient with this story. It means a lot that you all have stuck around. I hope the story has been enjoyable to read. Once I finish, I see myself going back to edit the story to improve character development and reduce any inconsistencies that I've noticed looking back.
With all that said, be on the lookout for chapter 25 coming in a few days.